High Desert Nature Archives – Page 3 of 5

Beautiful Winter Season

By JM PerezFebruary 3, 20171 min read511 views

Much to everyone’s surprise it still hasn’t snowed in the High Desert and my kids, who were looking forward to making snow angels were a little disappointed. Our mornings are chilly and the nights are long and cold. It has rained a lot lately, causing flooding, mudslides and other property damages.

*Thick clouds floating at the bottom of elevated snowy mountain peaks.*

Even though we didn’t get any snow (and most likely will not be getting any this Winter season), for the first time in many years, our mountains covered by thick snow look prettier than ever.

We have beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Stay warm while enjoying nature.

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By JM Perez

Spiders Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

Cat-faced Spider

By JM PerezAugust 25, 20161 min read848 views

This has been a beautiful summer in the High Desert with Roses bursting all over the place. I took a morning stroll through the garden after dropping my babies off to school and it felt really good to walk among plants and enjoy nature’s beauties.

I spotted what turned out to be a cat-faced spider by the entrance to my storage shed.

According to Wikipedia, the cat-faced spider is a common outdoor orb-weaver spider found in the USA and Canada.They are considered harmless with a low-toxicity venom and are useful natural predators for insects. They make their webs near lights, closed spaces, and on the sides of buildings. They can also be found under wood, overhangs, or guarded places such as animal burrows. They come in varying colors but are easily identified by the two horn shaped growths on their relatively large abdomen.

Hoping you are enjoying your day, wherever you are.

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By JM Perez

Nature High Desert

Beautiful Foggy Morning

By JM PerezFebruary 4, 20151 min read710 views

I awoke to a beautiful foggy morning and even though it was quite cold outside, I grabbed my camera and headed out to capture the moment before it became just a memory.

*Morning Fog (view from the front yard).*

In the backyard on a large and bare Mulberry Tree, sat a lone bird.

A couple of hours later, the sun rose and everything was renewed.

Wishing you a wonderful day as you keep warm and stay busy.

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By JM Perez

Winter Holidays Birds Weather Nature High Desert

A Cold Winter

By JM PerezDecember 30, 20141 min read485 views

It’s been very cold lately in the High Desert and we are spending time enjoying the company of one another.

A couple of weeks ago, we woke up to a freezing morning fog.

A few days later I noticed the formation of thick clouds over the mountains, which rapidly turned into snow. It’s a breathtaking sight from my backyard.

I have enjoyed watching Hummingbirds feed from my kitchen window.

Finally, Snow began falling tonight. It’s been a year or two since the last Snowfall. This one comes as our end of year present from Mother Nature.

Happy Holidays and Stay Warm this Winter!

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By JM Perez

Spiders Gardening High Desert

Garden Orb Spider

By JM PerezAugust 22, 20141 min read516 views

The Summer vacation has come and gone. The kids are once again back to school and I’m finding it hard to believe that September will soon be here.

Mother Nature has been so wonderful lately that I didn’t get to do much in the garden.
After Wednesday’s light rain however, I had some clean up to do around the house. I spotted a young Argiope Trifasciata (also known as orb weaving spider) hanging head down on my garage door. Argiope Trifasciata is a species of spider found around the world where the habitat is favorable.

*Argiope Trifasciata, a Banded Garden Orbweaver.*

The spider is known to make a highly symmetrical orb web and is found in late summer and early fall as temperatures start dropping. Though considered harmless, the Banded Garden Orbweaver might bite if it feels threatened.

Wishing you a great day. Take time to enjoy your weekend!

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By JM Perez